A Union minister on Tuesday told Lok Sabha that no specific connection has surfaced between militants belonging to the Islamic State of Jammu & Kashmir (ISJK), an outfit influenced by ISIS ideology, and the groups operating in Iraq and Syria.

“It has been reported that seven local youths have joined ISJK through self-proclamation. Out of these, four militants were killed on 22 June 2018 at Khiram Srigufawara, Anantnag, two were arrested and one is presently active in the valley,” Minister of State for Home Affairs, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said on Tuesday.

According to Press Information Bureau, Ahir stated this in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

Ahir also listed the incidents of instances of firings and ceasefire violations at Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB).

Between 2017 and 31 January 2019, there have been 3327 incidents of ceasefire violations and cross border firings. As many as 19 soldiers lost their lives and 69 sustained injuries during this period, the minister said.